November 25, 2005BOULDER - A suspected drunken driver allegedly managed to contort his handcuffed arms from behind his back, unbuckle his seatbelt and drive off in a patrol car Thursday.

Jose Alejandro Jaurechui-Mora, 23, also is accused of taking a police dog along for the ride before being re-arrested by Boulder County sheriff's officers early Thursday.

The incident began about 12:45 a.m. after four sheriff's deputies pulled the suspect over and arrested him for allegedly driving 90 mph - twice the posted speed limit - near 28th Street and Jay Road.

Because the dog was in the back seat, officers handcuffed Jaurechui- Mora and belted him into the patrol car's front passenger seat.

While the officers were away from the car, the suspect allegedly made his move, slid into the driver's seat and drove into a north Boulder neighborhood.

As officers gave chase, speeds reached 60 mph, and Jaurechui-Mora allegedly hit several mailboxes and a fire hydrant.

The ride ended three minutes after it began, on the 2400 block of Vine Place, a dead end.

Jaurechui-Mora, whose lengthy criminal record includes assaults and a hit-and-run, reportedly got out of the vehicle with his hands still handcuffed and went into custody without resistance.

Charges include aggravated motor vehicle theft and vehicular eluding, both felonies, as well as obstructing a peace officer, drunken driving, reckless driving and speeding.

The police German shepherd was shaken but unharmed, police said. The patrol vehicle had to be towed.

Boulder Sheriff's Sgt. Lance Enholm said the incident was the talk of the department Thursday evening. However, he said, it was not a laughing matter.

"Nobody's looking at it as being funny. It's a serious thing, and we want to make sure it doesn't happen again," Enholm said.